UWI steps up science-based programmes enrolment By David Williams,
Freelance Writer
THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) will be stepping up efforts to increase the proportion of students enrolling in science-based programmes, after failing to increase significantly enrolment in this area in accordance with its five-year Strategic Plan. According to figures published in this year's Vice Chancellor's Report to Council, enrolment in science and Technology programmes fell to 34.3 per cent in the last school year, the lowest proportion of overall enrolment since 1995-96. The University's Strategic Plan, formulated for the period 1997 to 2002, set an objective of increasing the proportion of students in Science and Technology from 34 per cent in 1995-96 to "close to 50 per cent" by next academic year (2001-2002). However, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rex Nettleford in April reported to the University Council that the University had not succeeded in moving the Science and Technology enrolment significantly towards the targeted 50 per cent ratio. Of the three campuses, only St. Augustine in Trinidad at 51.5 per cent enrolment in Science-based studies currently has proportion in keeping with the desired 50 per cent. This, however, is accounted for by the presence of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Agriculture on that campus, the report noted. The enrolment ratio at the Cave Hill campus in Barbados increased marginally to 24.2 per cent, while enrolment at the Mona campus remained static at around 25 per cent. Social Science programmes continue to account for the highest proportion of enrolment at all three campuses. An inadequate supply of high school graduates with 'A' Level passes in Science subjects, and "inadequate linkage between programme options at UWI and career opportunities" have been identified among the problems leading to failure to meet enrolment projections, based on the findings of regional surveys by the UWI Office of Administration and Special Initiatives. The University will be attempting "more attractive packaging of Science and Technology offerings", while collaborating with secondary schools to strengthen their Science programmes, in an attempt to fulfil the mandate laid down by contributing governments in the Strategic Plan. Efforts to increase the proportion of postgraduate students, also in accordance with objectives in the Strategic Plan, have reaped greater success. There has been a steady increase towards the targeted 20 per cent, up from 12.9 per cent postgraduate enrolment in 1995-96 to 17.3 per cent in 1999-2000. UWI's Cave Hill campus, in particular, is noted to have significantly changed its enrolment profile from a largely undergraduate institution to one focusing on postgraduate training and research.
|
